Description
These homemade cupcakes are a classic American dessert, perfect for any occasion. They feature a tender, moist crumb with a delicate vanilla flavor, made from scratch with simple ingredients. Easy to prepare and versatile, they can be topped with your favorite frosting to create a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking them together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cupcake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix just until combined after each addition to avoid overmixing, which can lead to dense cupcakes. Fold in the sour cream gently to add moisture.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake; it should come out clean when done.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Frost as Desired: Once cooled, frost the cupcakes using your preferred frosting such as vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or chocolate ganache.
Notes
- These cupcakes pair well with any frosting; popular choices include vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or chocolate ganache.
- For a chocolate version, substitute 1/3 cup of the all-purpose flour with unsweetened cocoa powder.